CMJ remembered at thanksgiving
Published: 16 April 2013

Writer, broadcaster and former MCC President Christopher Martin-Jenkins MBE has been remembered in a special thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral in London.

BBC Cricket Correspondent Jonathan Agnew and Sir Tim Rice gave tributes to the former BBC, Daily Telegraph, and the Times cricket correspondent, who died on New Year's Day.

Former colleague Agnew's tribute featured classic commentary moments from the career of the man known affectionately throughout the game as CMJ, including India's victory in the 1983 World Cup Final at Lord's and England regaining the Ashes at the Oval in 2009.

Members of Martin-Jenkins' family, including his son Robin - the former Sussex all-rounder - also gave readings at the oversubscribed event, which was attended by more than 2,000 friends, family, MCC Members and admirers of a man described as "the best friend the game ever had."

Notable attendees included former England captains Michael Vaughan, Michael Atherton, Andrew Strauss and David Gower, as well as famous broadcasters from outside cricket such as John Motson and John Inverdale.

Martin-Jenkins was made a MBE in 2009 and served as President of MCC in 2010/11. He died at his home in Horsham, Sussex on 1 January 2013 after a battle with cancer.

Excerpts from the ceremony will be played on BBC' Test Match Special programme during the first Test of the summer between England and New Zealand at Lord's.